Idler roll mounting construction

ABSTRACT

A construction for mounting idler rolls in a roll-rack of a continuous-casting machine. The rolls are arranged in sets of top and bottom clusters, which can be withdrawn from the supporting structure or inserted at one side of the roll rack, the concave side if the rack is curved. Each bottom cluster rests on respective seat fixed within the supporting structure. Each top cluster is held in the supporting structure with keys which are received in openings in straps. Both top and bottom clusters have legs engageable by an extractor for withdrawing or inserting them.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,735,848

Bode, Jr. et al. May 29, 11973 IDLER ROLL MOUNTING Primary Examiner-EvenC. Blunk CONSTRUCTION Assistant Examiner-Hadd S. Lane [75] Inventors:Charles H. Bode, Jr., Upper St. Attorney-Walter p'wood Clair TownshipAllegheny County' 7 Wilmer C. Wrhen, Oil City, both of [5 1 ABSTRACT Pa.A construction for mounting idler rolls in a roll-rack of acontinuous-casting machine. The rolls are ar- [73] Asslgnee' Si i iSteel Corporanon ranged in sets of top and bottom clusters, which can msurg be withdrawn from the supporting structure or in- [22] Filed: Mar.22, 1972 serted at one side of the roll rack, the concave side if therack is curved. Each bottom cluster rests on [21] Appl 236937 respectiveseat fixed within the supporting structure. Each top cluster is held inthe supporting structure [52] 111.8. Cl. ..l93/35 R, 198/127 with keyswhich are received in openings in straps. [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 13/00 Bothop and bo tom clusters have legs engageable by [58] Field or Search193/35; 198/127 n x ractor for withdrawing 0r inserting them.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures3,331,488 7/1967 Wellman 198/127 IDLER ROLL MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Thisinvention relates to an improved construction for mounting idler rollsin a roll-rack of a continuouscasting machine.

The form of continuous-casting machine in which our roll-mountingconstruction is used includes an open-ended, water-cooled, verticallyoscillating mold, from the lower end of which a partially solidifiedcasting of indefinite length emerges continuously. Below the mold thecasting travels between series of rolls, included among which is acurved roll-rack for changing the direction of travel of the castingfrom vertical to horizontal. Details of course vary. The mold may bestraight, in which event the casting travels through a straight verticalroll-rack and a bending-roll unit before entering the curved roll-rack.Alternatively the mold may be curved to form a casting which is curvedfrom its inception and which goes directly from the mold into the curvedroll-rack. Various rolls among the foregoing are driven to propel thecasting. The other rolls are idlers to confine and guide the casting.After leaving the curved roll-rack, the casting passes through astraightener, and subsequently is severed to discrete lengths. Thecasting is subject to intense cooling after it leaves the mold, andsolidifies throughout before it is severed.

All the rolls of a machine of this type are subject to severe operatingconditions, since they are in direct contact both with the hot castingand with the water sprays used to cool the casting. Consequently it isnecessary to remove, inspect and replace rolls on a regularly scheduledbasis. In most installations it is necessary also to reposition orremove and replace rolls whenever the machine is adjusted to change thecasting thickness.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved roll-mountingconstruction which facilitates withdrawing or inserting idler rolls of aroll-rack, applicable particularly but not limited to a curvedroll-rack.

A more specific object is to provide a roll-mounting construction inwhich top and bottom idler roll-clusters can be withdrawn from orinserted into a supporting structure from the concave side of a curvedroll-rack merelY by removing two keys from their slotS without otherwisedismantling the rack. The terms top cluster and bottom cluster refer tothe roll-clusters closer to the concave side and convex siderespectively of a curved roll-rack.

A further object is to provide roll-clusters, the frames of which arereadily engaged and supported by a mechanical extractor, whereby theextractor can withdraw the clusters from the concave side of a curvedroll-rack or replace them from the same side.

A further object is to provide idler roll-clusters which facilitateadjusting a roll-rack to accommodate castings of different thicknesses.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a curved roll-rack inwhich the idler rolls are mounted in accordance with our invention;

FIG. 2 is a section on a larger scale on line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled clusters taken online IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section on line IVIV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view from the right of FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a portion of a continuous-casting machinewhich may be of known construction apart from the idler roll mountings.The machine includes a straight vertical roll-rack 10, a bending-rollunit 12, a curved roll-rack I3 and a straightener 14. A continuouslyformed casting C, which comes from a mold, not shown, travels along thepath defined by the various rolls and through the straightener. Thebending-roll unit imparts a curvature to of travel casting, after whichthe curved roll-rack changes its direction of travel from vertical tohorizontal, and the straightener removes the curved set. Various rollsamong those shown may be driven to propel the casting, and the othersare idlers to confine and guide the casting. If a rigid starter bar isused, the upper portion of the curved roll-rack includes a switchsection (not shown) which lets the starter bar descend vertically. Thecurved roll-rack illustrated defines a path which is a circular arc, butthe arc can be of other shape.

The curved roll-rack includes a housing 15 in which idler rolls aremounted in a plurality of sets of top and bottom clusters 16 and 17.Driven rolls 24, mounted in any desired manner, are interspersed betweenvarious clusters of idler rolls. The machine is shown as equipped withan extractor 30 pivotally mounted at the concave side of the curvedroll-rack for withdrawing and inserting the roll-clusters and likewisethe driven rolls. The extractor illustrated is constructed as shown andclaimed in Gallucci application Ser. No. 236,915 filed coincidentallywith the present application, but other forms of extractor may be used.

As FIGS. 2 to 5 show, the housing 15 includes opposed flat side plates31 and a plurality of transverse box-like base members 32 extendingbetween the edges of the side plates at the convex side of the curvedrollrack behind each set of top and bottom clusters 16 and 17. Each basemember 32 carries a respective pair of seats 33 fixed thereto at itsopposite ends. A respective pair of opposed straps 34 are fixed to theinside faces of the side plates 31 alongside each pair of clusters. Eachtop cluster 16 includes a frame formed of opposed chocks 35, spacedtransverse plates 36 attached at their opposite ends to the chocks, andblocks 37 fixed to the edges of the plates and extending therebetween attheir opposite ends. A pair of top rolls 38 are journaled in suitablebearings within chocks 35. Each bottom cluster 17 includes a frameformed of opposed chocks 39 and a crossbar 40 attached at its oppositeends to the chocks. A pair of bottom rolls 41 are journaled in suitablebearings within chocks 39. The chocks 35 and 39 carry tabs 42 whichengage the edges of the proximate straps 34 and thus slidably supportthe clusters on the straps. Blocks 37 have openings 43 through which thestraps extend (FIG. 5). The crossbar 40 bears against seats 33.

Compression springs 46 are housed in the space between plates 36 of eachtop cluster frame adjacent opposite ends thereof. The chocks 39 of eachbottom cluster frame have respective lugs 47. Spring rods 48 bear attheir ends against the lugs 47 and extend between the two top rolls 38and at their opposite ends carry spring support discs 49, against whichthe ends of springs 46 bear (FIG. 4). The other ends of springs 46 bearagainst the respective blocks 37. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,stepped transversely slidable keys 50 are mounted in guideways 51 on theouter faces of the respective blocks 37. The straps 34 have elongatedslots 52 which receive keys 50 at any of their steps, three of which areillustrated. Thus the keys hold the clusters in the housing and thesprings 46 urge the two clusters of each set apart and providesufficient pressure on the keys to hold them in position. Adjustment ofkeys 50 to positions in which different steps are received within slots52 changes the spacing between the top and bottom rolls 38 and 41 toaccommodate castings of different thickness. Accurate gapping of therolls can be effected by inserting shim plates on the keys or taperedwedge adjustment.

Blocks 37 have integral apertured lugs 53 located on opposite sides ofkeys 50 (four lugs 53 per cluster). Keys 50 have respective outwardlyprojecting pins 54. The lugs 47 on each bottom cluster frame haveopenings 55 arranged similarly to the openings in lugs 53. The keys andlugs are accessible at the concave side of the roll-rack. To withdrawany set of clusters 16 and 17 from the housing 15, we slide the two keys50 inwardly toward the center of the top cluster 16 until the keys aredisengaged from the straps 34. We then pick up the top cluster by itslugs 53 and pull it from the housing. Next we pick up the bottom clusterby its lugs 47 and pull it also from the housing.

The extractor shown in the Gallucci application includes key-operatingmeans engageable with pins 54, and pins arranged to enter the openingsin the lugs 47 and 53, and it can swing about a pivotal mounting intoalignment with any of the clusters of the curved roll rack. Hence weprefer to use this form of extractor for withdrawing and inserting ourroll-clusters. Nevertheless it is apparent we can use other tools forthese operations. When we wish to adjust the clusters for castings ofdifferent thickness, we can use the extractor to reposition the keys 50,or we can move the keys manually with a suitable tool. In either eventit is unnecessary to remove the roll clusters to make thicknessadjustments.

From the foregoing description it is seen that our invention affords aroll mounting of simple construction which enables the idler rolls of acurved roll-rack to be withdrawn, inserted or adjusted as to theirposition readily from the concave side of a roll-rack. Our mounting canbe used also for idler rolls of a straight roll-rack or of abending-roll unit.

We claim:

1. In a roll-rack which includes a housing formed of opposed side platesand base members extending between said side plates at one edge thereof,the combination therewith of an improved construction mounting idlerrolls in said housing, said construction comprising:

a plurality of top roll-clusters and a plurality of bottom roll-clustersarranged in sets in said housing; each of said top roll-clustersincluding a frame and rolls journaled in said frame;

each. of said bottom roll-clusters including a frame and rolls journaledin said latter frame;

means in said housing slidably supporting the frames of each set ofclusters;

spring means urging the top and bottom clusters of each set apart;

the frames of said bottom clusters bearing against said base members;and

disengageable means at the side of said housing opposite said basemembers holding said clusters in said housing;

said clusters being arranged to be withdrawn from the side of thehousing opposite said base members.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said roll-rack iscurved, said base members are located at the convex side of the rack,and said clusters are withdrawn at the concave side.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the means slidablysupporting said frames includes straps fixed to the inside faces of saidside plates, and in which said disengageable means cooperates with saidstraps.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said disengageable meansincludes transversely slidable keys mounted on the frame of said topcluster, and cooperating means fixed with respect to said side platesreceiving said keys.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the means slidablysupporting said frames includes straps fixed to the inside faces of saidside plates, and in which said disengageable means includes transverselyslidable keys mounted on the frame of said top cluster, said strapshaving openings receiving said keys.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5 in which said keys have steps,any of which can be received in said openings to adjust the spacingbetween the rolls of said top and bottom clusters.

7. A combination as defined in claim 5 comprising in addition springmeans mounted within said clusters urging the top and bottom clustersapart and providing pressure on the keys to hold them in position.

8. A combination as defined in claim 5 comprising in addition lugs onthe top and bottom clusters engageable with means for withdrawing saidclusters.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5 in which the frame of said tophousing includes opposed chocks, said first-named rolls being journaledin said chocks, spaced transverse plates attached at their ends to saidchocks, and blocks fixed to the edges of said transverse plates andextending therebetween at their opposite ends, said keys being mountedon said blocks, said combination comprising in addition compressionsprings housed between said transverse plates, and spring rods engagingthe frame of said bottom cluster and having discs engaging said springs,whereby said springs bear against said blocks and said discs to urge thetop and bottom clusters apart and provide pressure on the keys to holdthem in position.

1. In a roll-rack which includes a housing formed of opposed side platesand base members extending between said side plates at one edge thereof,the combination therewith of an improved construction mounting idlerrolls in said housing, said construction comprising: a plurality of toproll-clusters and a plurality of bottom rollclusters arranged in sets insaid housing; each of said top roll-clusters including a frame and rollsjournaled in said frame; each of said bottom roll-clusters including aframe and rolls journaled in said latter frame; means in said housingslidably supporting the frames of each set of clusters; spring meansurging the top and bottom clusters of each set apart; the frames of saidbottom clusters bearing against said base members; and disengageablemeans at the side of said housing opposite said base members holdingsaid clusters in said housing; said clusters being arranged to bewithdrawn from the side of the housing opposite said base members.
 2. Acombination as defined in claim 1 in which said roll-rack is curved,said base members are located at the convex side of the rack, and saidclusters are withdrawn at the concave side.
 3. A combination as definedin claim 1 in which the means slidably supporting said frames includesstraps fixed to the inside faces of said side plates, and in which saiddisengageable means cooperates with said straps.
 4. A combination asdefined in claim 1 in which said disengageable means includestransversely slidable keys mounted on the frame of said top cluster, andcooperating means fixed with respect to said side plates receiving saidkeys.
 5. A comBination as defined in claim 1 in which the means slidablysupporting said frames includes straps fixed to the inside faces of saidside plates, and in which said disengageable means includes transverselyslidable keys mounted on the frame of said top cluster, said strapshaving openings receiving said keys.
 6. A combination as defined inclaim 5 in which said keys have steps, any of which can be received insaid openings to adjust the spacing between the rolls of said top andbottom clusters.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 5 comprising inaddition spring means mounted within said clusters urging the top andbottom clusters apart and providing pressure on the keys to hold them inposition.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 5 comprising in additionlugs on the top and bottom clusters engageable with means forwithdrawing said clusters.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 5 inwhich the frame of said top housing includes opposed chocks, saidfirst-named rolls being journaled in said chocks, spaced transverseplates attached at their ends to said chocks, and blocks fixed to theedges of said transverse plates and extending therebetween at theiropposite ends, said keys being mounted on said blocks, said combinationcomprising in addition compression springs housed between saidtransverse plates, and spring rods engaging the frame of said bottomcluster and having discs engaging said springs, whereby said springsbear against said blocks and said discs to urge the top and bottomclusters apart and provide pressure on the keys to hold them inposition.